Friday, September 18, 2015

Here's a new good song: "Take Heart" by The Sam Willows. This comes courtesy of my musical kindred spirit, LuisMa, whose videos, including a weekly countdown of his personal favorite songs as well as various compilations and montages through Billboard chart history, you can watch here. This is fantastic and moves in unexpected directions that almost defy description -- it's light acoustic rock with a a bluegrass influence that climaxes into a dance song. Very nice and fresh. Enjoy!

Here's a new good song: "Lick My Lips" by Katharine McPhee. She is now relatively famous, and was responsible for a tremendously underrated song in 2009 called "Over It," This new one is peppier and has a '70s vibe. Enjoy!

Here's a new good song: "One Love" by Marianas Trench. This band was responsible for the 18th-best new good song of 2013, "Desperate Measures." This new tune has a more Ryan Tedder feel and is more radio-friendly than "Desperate Measures." Enjoy!

Sunday, September 13, 2015

Here's a new good song: "Arrow" by Levv. Holy crap, this is gorgeous, front to back. Brilliant melody-writing, inspired production, exceptional vocals, and great build to the climax. It all works to create a rich and cool electro-inspired atmosphere. Enjoy.

Here's a new good song: "I Will Wait" by Aaron Krause. Reminiscent of Lany, who's put out some outstanding modernized '80s-inspired synth pop over the past couple years. Aaron's effort here is very nice. Enjoy.

Here's a new good song: "Yellow Boxes" by Tyler Ward. This would be merely mediocre if it weren't for a couple exceptional touches: some nice and unexpected melody treatments in the verses, and the relatively original lyrical content. I think this song may resonate with Millennials (of which I am not one, but I can relate). Enjoy!

Here's a new good song: "Downtown" by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis f/ Eric Nally, Melle Mel, Kool Moe Dee & Grandmaster Caz. I featured "Thrift Shop" on this blog on Sept. 7, 2012, and it was my 64th best new good song of 2012. At the time, I thought it was a novel song, and I described it thusly: "It's delivered with a nice light touch, over a pretty catchy and whimsical instrumental track, and the whole thing works together with a nice hooky chorus, delivered with humor." It, of course, went on to be a huge hit, which was a total surprise to me. In February 2013, it went to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, and it ended up being that magazine's No. 1 song of 2013.

Now that Macklemore is famous, we can look forward to getting tired of "Downtown" after it blows up and becomes inescapable. For now, enjoy.

Here's a new good song: "Hands All Over Me" by Tamaryn. Reminds me of an edgier version of Molly Beanland, Sky Ferreira or fellow New Zealander Kimbra. Tamaryn has another new good song called "Cranekiss," which I initially preferred, but upon repeated listens I'm digging "Hands" more. Enjoy!

Here's a new good song: "Surrender" by Gavin Turek & Tokimonsta. The former is the vocalist and the latter is the producer. This is a pretty special '90s throwback, with hints of Crystal Waters or Groove Theory, but with a contemporary twist. Enjoy!

Here's a new good song: "Shadowplay" by The Saint Johns. This duo was responsible for the 49th best new good song of 2013, "Your Head And Your Heart." "Shadowplay" is similarly light, acoustic and melancholy. Many songs in the singer/songwriter genre are these things, but The Saint Johns have superior melodies, harmonies and vocal abilities. They should be much more famous by now than they are. All it will take is having a big song on a soundtrack. Enjoy!

Here's a new good song: "Never Gonna Take You Back" by Satchmode. Worth a listen, but note that the intro is over a minute. What makes this '80s-inspired song particularly special is the transcendental chord change right before the fourth measure of the verses and the chorus. Like a cool breeze. Enjoy!